Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Ten and Epilogue

CHAPTER TEN

   "How well did he take it?"

   Tumbler looked up from his monitor screen as Prowl walked into his domicile. "Orion?" he asked. "Kinda hard to say. He looked shocked at first, then disbelieving, then pretty sad, and right now he's walking around with a face that could freeze a smelting pool."

   Prowl leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed. "You weren't... blunt about it, were you?"

   "No, I just...." Tumbler sighed. "Look, there's only so many ways you can tell someone that their brother's dead, okay?"

   Prowl frowned. "Why do you have such a cynical outlook on life?"

   "Because it's all screwed up," Tumbler said bitterly. "This is supposed to be the 'Golden Age' and yet people are dying left and right. Momus, Decimus, Optronix... where will it all end?"

   Prowl shrugged. "Maybe nowhere. Maybe we're doomed to go on this crazy haywire Galaxy Coaster forever."

   Tumbler regarded his partner quizzically. "You can observe eight hundred moving objects and compute their direction of travel, and yet you're using words like 'maybe?'"

   "I'm not infallible, Tumbler."

   "No," Tumbler said as he returned to his work. "Not always."

*  *  *

   Alpha Trion sighed as he set down his Quill. Things had taken a turn for the worst. The Autobot whom he, and a number of others, were hoping to succeed Sentinel Prime had fallen, and thus a new one was to be chosen, lest the foretold 'darkest hour' consumed all.

   The old historian glanced at his copy of the Covenant of Primus. What if it was wrong? What if there was no darkest hour and thus no need for a Matrix-bearer- a Prime- to stop it?

   But then, he thought, why would the Ancients write such a prophecy in their own artifact?

   He picked up the data-book and perused its countless pages, studying the many Primes who helped mold Cybertron into what it was today: Alpha, the First; Nova, the Expansionist; Guardian, the Protector; Sentinel, the Watcher....

   Six Primes over the course of over several millennia. The Covenant foretold of a seventh, and some took this to mean 'last', who would use the Matrix of Leadership to vanquish Cybertron's darkest hour, thus bringing together all Cybertronians.

   Perhaps Optronix wasn't the seventh Prime. Perhaps there was no one left to take on the mantle.

   With another sigh, Alpha Trion picked up his Quill and added more of his musings to his journal. There were too many probabilities and only a single definitive one. Only time would tell which one it would be.

*  *  *

   Optronix followed Lord Trannis through the vast hallways of Kolkular, New Kaon's capitol. The dark gray steel walls were decorated with holographic pictures of what he presumed to be historical Decepticon warriors and leaders. They passed an adjacent corridor, down which he could see a large statue of a heavily-armored figure.

   Trannis seemed to know what it was he was looking at, for he said, "We Decepticons tend to be great admirers of the ancient warrior Megatronus."

   Optronix cringed slightly at the use of the Fallen's forbidden name. "One of the Thirteen...."

   "Indeed. Although many tales portray him in a negative light, he was nonetheless a capable warrior whose cunning rivaled that of some of his brothers."

   "They say that he fell under the Great Devourer's sway...."

   "But do you believe them?" Trannis asked.

   Optronix did not answer.

   The two of them came to a stop before a large door, which was shaped to resemble the angular Decepticon insignia. Trannis turned to Optronix and smiled.

   "Beyond this door lies my army. I am showing it to you so you can be prepared to lead them when the time comes."

   Pressing a control panel near it, the door slid open and Optronix's eyes widened. Standing beneath a balcony was indeed an army... comprised of Decepticons that numbered into the thousands, if not millions. Countless Decepticons, varying in sizes, colors, and alt modes... and they were all at Trannis' disposal.

   He stared at the Decepticon warlord in incredulity. "How... have you been able to build... all of this?"

   Trannis grinned wickedly. "When one has nearly two thousand years on their hands, things tend to build up."

   Optronix's gaze moved back and forth between him and the army he commanded. "Are you... planning another war?"

   Trannis' smile began to fade slightly. "Only if your Autobots leave us with no choice."

   "They're not my Autobots-"

   "No," the warlord cut him off. "Not yet."

   Stepping through the door, Trannis walked up to the balcony that oversaw the army and spoke out to them. "Decepticons! For too long have we been waiting to retake Cybertron, but that time is nigh! With Trypticon Prison in our possession, we can now reshape it into a weapon, which we will then unleash on the Autobots if they refuse to accept our demands!"

   The crowd roared their approval.

   "Yes, my friends! The time has come to transform... and rise up!"

   As the Decepticons broke out into a cheer, Trannis turned back to Optronix and grinned again. "An impressive oration, wouldn't you say?"

   Optronix glared at him. "You plan on keeping me prisoner here, aren't you?"

   The tyrant laughed. "Plan on? My dear Optronix, haven't I already?"

   The cheers and laughter from all of the Decepticons dragged on into the night.

EPILOGUE

   Down in the dungeons of Kolkular, a song played. Not a song with heavy metal beats or scratching discs, but a sweet, simple, harmonious song that was made to help sleep-depraved beings relax and fall into a comfortable slumber.

   Which Nightshift could not allow.

   Chained to the dungeon wall, he struggled to stay awake. He knew that this was what the Decepticons wanted: for him to fall asleep and then be swiftly and painlessly executed. But he had to get out of here and warn the Autobots of the Decepticon threat.

   Suddenly, the door to his cell opened and a large, blade-wielding Decepticon walked in. Nightshift's optics widened when he recognized the mech's body type.

   "Landslide?" he said. "What are you doing here? Doing with them?"

   Landslide did not seem to acknowledge him as he walked up to Nightshift and released him from his chains. He then seized the Autobot by his wrists and dragged him out of the dungeon.

   I guess this is it, Nightshift thought sullenly. Least I won't have to listen to that music anymore.

   However, much to his surprise, Landslide did not take him to a guillotine or any such place to be executed, but instead dragged him outside, where a small ship awaited them.

   "What's going on?" Nightshift asked. "Where are you taking me?"

   Landslide suddenly dropped him and, before his very eyes, morphed into a completely different body entirely. The stranger then turned to face him and grinned.

   "It's been a while, hasn't it, Nightshift?"

   Nightshift blinked. "Who the heck are you and how do you know my name?"

   The stranger slapped his forehead in mock realization. "My apologies. I meant to call you Agent Five-One-Three."

   Something in Nightshift's processor clicked. As if a dam had been broken, memories flooded into his head. After taking a moment to gather all of his recalled thoughts, he looked up at the stranger, whom he now started to recognize.

   "Agent Triple-Seven?"

   His partner grinned. "You can call me Makeshift."

   Nightshift got up to his feet, at the same time reverting to his primary form like Makeshift had. "It's finally that time, eh?"

   Makeshift nodded. "Lord Trannis wants us to wake up the others and inform them of their tasks. Then, we are to infiltrate the Autobot ranks, like you had been, unwittingly."

   "Got it." Nightshift then grinned. "Feels great to be back in business."

   Makeshift chuckled. "Tell me about it. Looks like the Decepticons are finally going to get back their stolen glory."

   The duo's laughter, like that of the Decepticons not far from their location, went on well into the night.

TO BE CONTINUED

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

   "We never did get to the bottom of this all, did we?"

   Prowl glanced at Tumbler as he poured himself some energon in the Steelhaven's distillery room. "You mean our initial goal?"

   "Yeah, finding out why those Decepticons were all of a sudden free." He sighed. "I mean, I suppose we kinda guess... I'm ninety-nine percent sure that the warlords were behind this."

   "Gee, you think?" Prowl replied. "The main question is: how and why? And what's with Trypticon Prison floating out in space?"

   "That's two questions," Tumbler said. "And where did you hear that?"

   "Warpath told me," Prowl said. After a pause, he said, "Flareup seems to fancy him."

   "Whoopdee-doo, like I care." Tumbler sighed. "So now what?"

   "I highly doubt the Decepticons would fall for another infiltration," Prowl said as he sat across from his partner. "I have no doubt investigations of the Trypticon Prison thing will be conducted, but it probably won't be much viable."

   Tumbler nodded, staring at his full glass of energon. "How are we going to break the news about Optronix to Orion?" he finally asked.

   Prowl groaned. "Frag, I forgot about that. Well, you know him better than I do, so maybe you should tell him."

   "Thanks," Tumbler said sardonically. "No wonder you're my best pal."

*  *  *

   Voices rang in Optronix's head. He tried to move only to find out that he couldn't even feel his nerve-circuits. He then activated his optics and found a grinning face staring down at him.

   "Ah, good. He's alive."

   "Raise him up, Flatline."

   The Decepticon pressed a few controls and the table Optronix was restrained to slowly rotated up so that he "stood" face-to-face with the other Decepticon in the room.

   Lord Trannis.

   Optronix found it difficult to speak. "Why... why have you brought me here?"

   Trannis smiled. "So you could be rebuilt."

   Optronix struggled to focus on the black and red tyrant. "What are you talking about?"

   "You are to be the next Prime, are you not? The true Prime."

   Optronix blinked. "The true Prime?"

   Trannis chuckled. "Haven't caught up on your history, I see. Tell me, have you heard of the Matrix of Leadership?"

   Optronix slowly nodded. "It is the artifact carried by the Prime."

   "That's what they say. There are some who don't believe in the Matrix, or see it as a mere trinket that the Prime carries to make themselves feel proud and powerful." Trannis stepped closer to him. "Do you believe in the Matrix?"

   "Yes," Optronix murmured. 

   The Decepticon leader grinned. "Then we already have things in common."

   He turned and began to pace back and forth. "But I digress. You have heard of the Covenant of Primus, correct?"

   "Yes."

   "Then you are aware that, in one of its many passages, it foretells the arrival of a Matrix-bearer who would light our darkest hour and bring unity to all Cybertronians."

   "Yes, but I assumed that it referred to Sentinel Prime-"

   Trannis cut him off with a harsh laugh. "And yet do you see unity, Optronix? Do you see Decepticons and Autobots standing side-by-side, as equals?"

   Optronix did not respond.

   "No, my friend. That Prime has yet to arrive," Trannis went on. "In fact, he is standing right before me."

   Optronix stared at him coldly. "You plan on converting me to your cause. You plan on making me a Decepticon idol."

   Trannis grinned. "Just an idol. Not of Autobot or Decepticon, but of Cybertronians in general... perhaps even beyond."

   "And how does putting me in a Decepticon-ruled area help me-"

   "Because then you'll be able to see both sides of the coin. As a member of the Elite Guard, you already know how well Autobot society works. Here, you will be able to understand the whole story of the Great War."

   Optronix sighed. He knew that this wasn't much of a choice; it was to either accept Trannis' offer or die.

   "Fine," he muttered. "I accept. And was it really necessary to restrain me to a table?"

   Trannis smirked. "To keep you from escaping, yes. And, like I said, we decided to rebuild you."

   Optronix looked down and saw that his body had been upgraded to be more well-armored and armed, the most prominent weapon being a large cannon on his right arm. Despite himself, he couldn't help but smirk. Nice touch.

*  *  *

   Ultra Magnus stood solemnly before Sentinel Prime in the latter's office, having returned from Lucifer a mere hour ago. The Prime paced back and forth behind his desk, looking out his window to observe the magnificent city of Iacon.

   After a moment of silence, Sentinel finally spoke. "Well, the good news is, there have been no more Decepticon sightings, at least outside of Kaon. The city is sure to be more unruly than before now that the presence of a security force is absent though."

   "Red Alert is establishing a perimeter around the city," Ultra Magnus said. "The forces from the bordering cities will keep an eye on it."

   Sentinel Prime nodded. "Very good. Any plans for investigating the 'prison debacle,' as some call it?"

   "Not yet. It is more riskier than ever to enter Decepticon territory. It will take some time to devise a good enough strategy."

   Sentinel nodded again. Then, after a moment's pause, said, "I hear that Optronix fell in battle with Straxus."

   Ultra Magnus nodded mournfully. "Yes, presumably. None of us were present to witness it, though I'm sure he fought valiantly."

   The Prime merely sighed, staring out the window.

   Ultra Magnus cleared his throat. "Who are you planning to make your successor now?"

   The old Autobot turned to face him, his metallic visage filled with sorrow and grief. "If it's all the same to you, old friend, I would like some peace and quiet."

   Ultra Magnus nodded and left the room, leaving Sentinel alone to brood over his loss.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

   "Are you seriously telling me that you didn't think this mission all the way through?"

   Twin Twist winced as he narrowly dodged a rocket fired by a Decepticon heavy soldier. He returned fire by launching two drill-shaped missiles at the brute, effectively putting him out of commission.

   "Well, sweetheart, since the original plan didn't go as well as we were hoping, we kinda had to improvise."

   "'Sweetheart?'" Flareup punctuated her remark by shooting a Decepticon sniper point-blank in the face. "How cute."

   "Get a room, you two!" Roadbuster snapped as he walked up between them, carrying a large Path Blaster. Aiming it at the floor beneath the Decepticons' feet, he fired and sent the enemy fighters flying through the air. He then brought out another cannon and aimed it at the far wall.

   "If this thing backfires on me," Roadbuster muttered, "tell my Conjunx Endura that I love her."

   "You don't have a Conjunx Endura," Twin Twist said.

   "Glad you're still paying attention."

   The Wrecker pulled the weapon's trigger and launched a spherical bomb. It then detonated, seeming to rip apart the fabric of time and space. It then stopped as soon as it started and the wall was no more.

   Twin Twist regarded Roadbuster's weapon with a mix of shock and admiration. "Where did you get that fancy toy?"

   "Brainstorm," the larger Wrecker replied. "He doesn't technically know that I have it, but I did leave behind fifty shanix in his workshop."

   "How generous of you," Flareup said dryly. "Now let's get the Pit out of here."

   The three converted into their alternate modes and followed the other Wreckers and escaped Autobot prisoners out of the fortress. Once they were outside, they were instantly greeted by an Autobot ship, though it was not the Xantium like some were expecting.

   "Well, what do you know?" Impactor said as he looked up at the descending Steelhaven. "Guess Magnus pulled through after all."

   Still hovering over the ground, the Steelhaven's boarding ramp lowered and a robust, red-armored Autobot appeared. Observing the several Autobots, as well as the Decepticons now pursuing them, he said, "Guess it's time to bash some heads."

   With that, he jumped down from the ship- followed by other Elite Guardsmen- and converted into his tank mode, shooting wildly at the 'Cons. With the Elite Guard handling their pursuers, the Wreckers escorted the other Autobots onto the ship. However, just as most of the escapees were on board and the Wreckers were about to follow, a missile from a Decepticon's launcher hit Leadfoot in the leg, blasting it off.

   "Autobot down! Autobot down!" Twin Twist cried.

   The Wreckers' repair-bot, Fastfix, rushed to the fallen Autobot's side and ran a scanner over him. "He's still alive," the medic soon reported. "Roadbuster, carry him on board."

   The green and brown Wrecker lifted up Leadfoot, slinging him over his shoulder, and hurried onto the Steelhaven. Not long after, the Elite Guardsmen were back on the ship as well and it was soon taking off from Darkmount.

   With the wounded in the medbay and the others put to safety, Impactor went to the bridge, where Ultra Magnus was waiting for him.

   "Damage report," the Elite Guard leader ordered.

   "At least seven dead, including three of my Wreckers," Impactor replied. "Leadfoot is in the medbay and I believe Optronix has gone after Straxus."

   Ultra Magnus frowned. "Then I'm afraid he's already dead."

   Impactor's optics flared. "Are you that willing to abandon one of your own men?"

   "Impactor, this ship has received enough damage as it is," Ultra Magnus said sharply. "If we linger any longer, the 'Cons might-"

   "Uh, sir?" a communications officer on the bridge said. "We're getting a transmission from Darkmount."

   After a moment's hesitation, Ultra Magnus said, "Play it, Cosmos."

   On a video-screen near the viewport, the malevolent visage of Lord Straxus appeared. 

   "Ultra Magnus," the Decepticon warlord growled. "For once in my life, I shall be generous. Given that you now have what was never mine in the first place, I am going to let you leave in one piece."

   "Hold it," Impactor snapped before Ultra Magnus could say anything. "Where's Optronix?"

   Straxus smirked. "I wouldn't expect him coming aboard if I were you."

   The Wrecker leader stepped back, refusing to let any amount of grief to show on his face. In turn, Ultra Magnus regarded Straxus coldly. 

   "So be it."

   With that, he cut off the communication and ordered the Steelhaven's pilot Jazz to head back for Cybertron. With nothing left to be said, Impactor left the bridge. It was bitterly ironic, he thought, how despite them achieving something great- by freeing their fellow Autobots- they had failed to achieve their initial objective.

   Funny how things work sometime. In a not-so-funny way.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

   "We're nearing our destination," said the Steelhaven's navigator Wing Saber. "We should be exiting hyperspace in about two cycles."

   Ultra Magnus nodded. Seated in his command chair on the bridge, he kept his optics glued to the twisting tunnel of hyperspace. What would be waiting for them on the other end? A fleet of Decepticon warships? A Titan? The Seething Moon?

   He leaned forward in his seat. Whatever it would be, he just knew that they were in for a nasty surprise. Two minutes later, he was quickly proven correct.

   Everyone on the Steelhaven's bridge gawked in astonishment at the large object that floated before them.

   "Is that... what I think it is?" asked Jazz from the pilot seat.

   Ultra Magnus sighed. "I'm afraid so. Trypticon Prison."

   "What in Primus' name is it doing here?" Warpath exclaimed.

   "It was teleported, remember?" Wing Saber said. "I don't know why the 'Cons would put it in the middle of outer space, though."

   "It doesn't matter," Ultra Magnus said. "Trypticon Prison is not our main priority right now. Wing Saber, what is the nearest planet?"

   "Lucifer, sir."

   "Then we shall proceed to there. Cosmos, tell the Eight Track and Valiant to stay put until I order otherwise."

   "Copy that," the green and yellow communications officer replied.

   As the Steelhaven advanced towards the Decepticon-aligned world, Ultra Magnus gripped the handle of his trusted warhammer. For the first time in centuries, it would be seeing action once again.

   Today was sure to be a hectic one.

*  *  *

   Shoot. Drop. Roll. Shoot some more. Dodge. Back flip. Pew-pew-pew.

   That was all that was going through Whirl's head as he mowed down the Decepticons of Darkmount. For the first time in stellar cycles, he was doing what he did best, what he enjoyed the most.

   Bang bang bang. Crouch down. Swing leg. Shoot over shoulder. Fun fun fun.

   "Whirl!"

   The one-eyed Autobot instantly froze, holding a Decepticon by the neck over the smelting pool. He turned his head and fixed his singular gaze on Topspin, who was pointing at him.

   "What? Can't stand a little violence? Maybe you should have stayed-"

   "No! Behind you!"

   Whirl turned around in time to see Lord Straxus standing over him, axe raised towards the sky. As the warlord brought the weapon down, Whirl used the Decepticon he was holding as a shield so that the axe's blade skewered the hapless 'Con instead. With Straxus briefly distracted by this, Whirl converted into his helicopter form and flew off to assist his comrades in freeing the prisoners.

   As he moved down the corridor, he could hear the noise of battle drawing closer and closer. If he had a mouth, Whirl would have grinned. This day just gets better and better.

*  *  *

   "When you came in here, did you have a plan for getting out of here?"

   Impactor cast a quick glance at Prowl as he fired his dual blasters at the Decepticon residents of Darkmount. "The plan was to get you guys out of here. We never really got further than that."

   "And who came up with the plan?"

   "Optronix."

   Prowl ducked behind a large piece of debris as a hulking Decepticon with shoulder-mounted missile launchers unleashed his payload. "And where exactly is Optronix?" he called over the sound of explosions.

   "Heck if I know," Impactor replied as he launched a harpoon from his arm, skewering the Decepticon's face. "He said he would be meeting up with us soon..."

   As his voice trailed off, dread filled his spark. It apparently showed on his face, for Prowl then said, "What is it?"

   "I think he's going after Straxus."

*  *  *

   Straxus moved through the mess of corpses that littered his throne room, kicking several into the smelting pool down below. Every once in a while, he would come across one that still had a bit of life in them. This did nothing to change their fate.

   By the time he had reached the chamber's entrance, the floor was clean save for the splatters of energon.

   And the Autobot now standing behind him.

   "Straxus."

   The Lord High Governor of Darkmount turned to face the red and black Autobot. "Ah, yes. You are the one called Optronix... or is it Optimus Prime yet? I don't follow the events of Cybertron very well."

   Optronix glared at him as he raised his blaster rifle at the tyrant's head. "Not Prime. Not yet," he said coldly. "Perhaps when I bring you and your fellow warlords to justice."

   Straxus idly twirled his battle axe in his hands. "Although our meeting was a short one, I didn't have you pinned down as an ambitious one, one who craved power."

   "That was before I realized how apathetic Sentinel Prime was to Cybertron's well-being." Optronix rested his finger on the gun's trigger. "Before I saw how willing so-called-legendary heroes like Ultra Magnus were to rather sit on their afterburners and let Decepticons run rampant in our streets."

   Straxus smiled mirthlessly. "So you think that by murdering an innocent mech in cold-blood, Cybertron would hail you as the ruler they deserved."

   Optronix scowled. "You are far from innocent. I saw you kicking those bodies- some which were still functioning- into your accursed smelting pool. You deserve to rot in the Pit!"

   "And yet, Sentinel Prime spared Trannis' life on that day in Iacon, when the war ended."

   Optronix' baleful gaze bore into Straxus' scarlet optics. "Because Sentinel didn't have the guts to do what was right."

   With that, the Autobot pulled the trigger of his rifle... only to have the weapon slapped out of his hand by the quick-moving Straxus, letting it fall into the smelting pool. The tyrant then grabbed Optronix by the neck and held him over the lava that boiled below.

   "You are indeed a bold one," Straxus said with a wicked grin. "No wonder you were chosen to replace Sentinel Prime as Cybertron's benevolent ruler."

   He raised his other hand to his left audio receptor. "I don't hear you denying the 'ruler' part. Is the correct term not supposed to be simply leader? Or have things changed since I last visited Cybertron?"

   To Optronix's visible surprise, Straxus pulled him back and dropped him onto the floor. Kneeling next to the Autobot, the warlord said, "You have potential, young one. You have the makings of a great leader, Autobot or Decepticon."

   He closed his fist around Optronix's neck again.

   "I believe you would be of great interest to the Decepticon cause."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

   "What exactly is Plan B?" Topspin asked Optronix once they and the other Wreckers had returned to the Xantium. 

   "You guys are going to do what you do best," Optronix said. "We're going to take off and pretend to leave Lucifer, but as soon as we reach the atmosphere, we'll double-back and fly straight over Darkmount. You'll then drop down and raid the fortress."

   Whirl's single optic flickered with surprise. "You mean... we get to-?"

   "Yes, shoot at Decepticons. But try not to kill too many. You're just there to free the prisoners."

   "Sounds good to me," said Roadbuster. "Man, we won't have had this much fun since... since...."

   "The war?" Impactor asked.

   "Yeah. Wow. It's been a while."

   Impactor grunted. "Don't expect to have too much fun, unless the war starts again. Ready when you are, Optronix."

   The Elite Guardsman nodded. "Then let's roll out, Autobots."

*  *  *

   Tumbler was quite grateful that his mouth-plate and visor concealed all of his facial expressions. That way, no one would take notice of him visibly cringing upon hearing the screams of terror and agony that rang through his audio receptors as he and the others entered Lord Straxus' throne room.

   The chamber was vast, the ceiling raised high. Guards stood on either side, though instead of walls to lean against, their backs hovered over a large smelting pool. Of course, that was what it seemed; Tumbler figured that there were ray shields placed to prevent them from falling.

   At the end of the room, beyond the line of prisoners waiting to be executed, was a burly, somewhat portly Cybertronian, colored in dark blue and red. In one hand, he held a mighty battle axe; the other, a hapless Autobots prisoner.

   "P-please!" the Autobot cried. "We meant no wrongdoing-!"

   "The very presence of your 'exploration vessel' in Decepticon territory counts as trespassing," Lord Straxus snarled. "A violation of the Tyrest Accord, if I am not mistaken. Your punishment is fully deserved."

   "Please! Have mercy!"

   "Mercy?" Straxus spat. "Mercy is not dispensed here, fool. Only death!"

   With that, the Lord High Governor lifted up the hapless prisoner and hurled him into the smelting pool. As he witnessed the Autobot slowly melt away in agony, Tumbler realized that there were no ray shields at all.

   As he and the others moved down the line, Tumbler struck up a casual conversation with one of the Decepticon guards behind him.

   "So, what exactly is the process here?" he asked.

   The Decepticon snorted. "New here, eh? Pretty simple, really; the boss calls for at least twenty prisoners to be brought before him. Then he decides which punishment they'll receive: quick death by axe, or slow death by smelting pool."

   "Ah," Tumbler replied, trying to keep his voice even. "No third option?"

   "They say that every once in a while, if he's in a very good mood, Straxus might give a prisoner- specifically a Decepticon one- a second chance to redeem themselves." The guard shrugged. "But that's never happened in the years I've been here."

   Nodding, Tumbler ruefully returned his attention to Straxus, who had just executed two prisoners with his axe. Then, to Prowl, he whispered, "If you've got a good plan in mind, I'm all ears."

   "Not here," Prowl hissed, glancing frantically at the Decepticons surrounding them. "Besides, I'm relying on Getaway here to think of something."

   "I'm not infallible, guys," Getaway replied. "I only work when given the opportunity-"

   "Hey!" one of the Decepticons barked. "Talking won't get you outta here, so shut it!"

   "My apologies, sir," Getaway said, reaching up to pat the guard on the shoulder. "I did not mean to disrupt the tranquility of this lovely-"

   "Get your stinking hands off me, you filthy Autobot!" the Decepticon snapped, wrenching off the hand. He then stopped and looked at his shoulder. Attached to it was a bomb.

   "Well, scrap," the guard muttered, seconds before the bomb went off.

   To Tumbler's surprise, the explosion was not very explosive, but it did send him and those nearby flying off their feet, including Prowl and his fellow escapees. Shooting over the smelting pool, he activated his jetpack and instantly moved to intercept the descending Flareup. As he caught her, the Decepticons still on the "bridge" began firing at them, some even transforming into jets to take pursuit.

   "Frag," Tumbler said under his breath.

   Flareup looked at him. "What?"

   "I'm not really in the capacity to shoot at enemy fighters with you in my arms."

   "Good thing I'm fully capable then." 

   Converting her right arm into a blaster, Flareup aimed at the Decepticon fliers and shot at them, taking down at least two of them within the span of five seconds.

   "Not bad," Tumbler said as he flew to join up with Prowl, Wheeljack, and Leadfoot, the latter two who carried Getaway and Ambulon respectively. "Now then, think it's by time we get the heck out of here?"

   "We would need to blast a hole in the ceiling," Leadfoot said. "I don't suppose anyone's got a rocket launcher?"

   Before the others could respond, the ceiling itself burst into debris as a large ship blasted through it. Descending from the Xantium on cables, weapons ablaze, were Optronix, Impactor, and the Wreckers.

   Flareup smirked. "The cavalry, I presume?"

   "No," Prowl said. "The last resort."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

   Despite being his trusted right-hand man, Ultra Magnus rarely spoke with Sentinel Prime. Because of their jobs constantly demanding their attention, they almost never had the opportunity to sit down and talk like the old friends they were. It usually took an emergency to get them to even see each others' face.

   Such as now.

   "Garrus One through Nine, Trypticon Prison, Grindcore." Ultra Magnus sighed as he and Sentinel Prime moved hastily down the halls of the Metroplex. "The list goes on."

   "Deploy whatever Elite Guardsmen are available to Decepticon territory," Sentinel Prime said. "If they truly are behind this, then they must be stopped."

   "And if they aren't? What if they take our presence as intimidation and start the war again?"

   "They have not the means to do so," Sentinel replied. "And besides, why wouldn't it be them? The prisoners who escaped initially were all Decepticons."

   "I suppose you're right," Ultra Magnus said quietly. "Very well then. I shall dispatch the Eight Track, the Valiant, and the Hyperion."

   "And the Steelhaven."

   Ultra Magnus suddenly stopped to stare enquiringly at the Prime. "The Steelhaven? The capital ship? My ship?"

   "Know any others?" Sentinel Prime said dryly.

   "Sir, the very presence of the capital Autobot ship would provoke a very negative reaction from the Decepticons, regardless if they're behind this or not."

   Sentinel sighed as he placed a hand on Ultra Magnus' shoulder. "I am aware of your concerns, old friend. But if the Decepticons are truly thinking about starting another war, we must quash their attempts once and for all."

   Ultra Magnus nodded solemnly. "I understand. It shall be done, Sentinel Prime, sir."

   With a final salute, Ultra Magnus turned and converted into his truck mode, headed for the Metroplex's exit, all the while doing his best to ignore his nagging doubts.

*  *  *

   "Well, this plan is proceeding lovely," Tumbler muttered, idly dangling his feet over the floor. "Lovelier than the Helix Gardens on a sunny day."

   "Quiet," Prowl hissed. "I'm trying to observe my surroundings."

   "What is there to observe? We're inside a dark, smelly dungeon, chained to the wall. The only things in here besides us and our fellow prisoners are some dead bodies and what smells like petro-rabbit droppings. There. You have your surroundings."

   "Wow," Leadfoot said dryly. "If we ever get out of here alive, you should totally pursue a career as an author."

   "Don't count on it," said one of the other prisoners, a female Autobot colored in red and orange. "No Autobot has gone into Darkmount and leave alive. Heck, even as a Decepticon you'd have to be pretty lucky."

   "Rub it in, why don't you?" snapped a purple-colored male Decepticon on the wall opposite of her. More to himself, he muttered, "Primus, make one tiny mistake in repairing the Lord High Governor and you get sentence and replaced."

   "You think you've got it bad?" asked a white, blue, and red male Autobot. "I was actually sent here on a recon mission by my superiors."

   "Recon?" Wheeljack repeated. "What for?"

   "Data," the Autobot said simply. To him, Prowl, Tumbler, and Leadfoot, he asked, "You guys?"

   "I had a plan," Prowl replied, looking dejectedly to the floor. "It didn't work."

   "Well, that's pretty obvious," the Decepticon medic said. With a sigh, he added, "Look, I know we're all gonna die pretty soon, but maybe we should get to know each others' names. I'll start: I'm Ambulon."

   "I'm Tumbler," Tumbler said. "'Bot with the failed plan is Prowl. Yellow guy is Leadfoot. Guy with the flashing ears whenever he talks is Wheeljack."

   "Flareup," said the female Autobot.

   "Getaway," said the white and blue one, and with that he dropped to the floor, free from his chains.

   The others stared at him incredulously. "How... how did you...?" Ambulon stammered.

   "It's all in the name," Getaway replied. "Anyone got a jetpack?"

   "Er, we four do," Tumbler said. "Maybe if you freed us, you could-"

   "Actually, never mind that," Getaway said hastily. "I hear the guard coming. Just trust me, okay?"

   With that, the Autobot escape artist blended into the shadows of the cell, no doubt using cloak technology of some sort. Not a moment later, the door opened and a teal-colored Decepticon walked in, carrying seven trays of nuts and bolts.

   "Supper time!" the guard cackled. "You guys need more metal in your system so we can recycle it after we smelt ya'!"

   He began attaching the trays to the wall near each prisoner. When he came to Getaway's spot, he froze when he saw that the Autobot was missing.

   "Say, weren't there seven of ya'?"

   "Yup."

   The Decepticon suddenly began to spasm as Getaway emerged from the shadows and shoved an energon prod into the 'Con's neck. After a few more twitches, the guard collapsed to the floor, unconscious and immobile.

   As Getaway started to free Tumbler and the others, Leadfoot said, "And just how the heck did you find an energon prod?"

   "He had one folded up on his back," Getaway said, nodding to the paralyzed guard. "Remember, always make use of what's provided to you."

   "Sound advice," Flareup said. "So how do we get out of here?"

   "Same ways we got in," Prowl said. "Tumbler, Leadfoot, Wheeljack, and I have electronic paint jobs installed. We'll pose as Decepticons while you, Getaway, and Ambulon act as prisoners which we're transferring."

   Getaway scratched the chin of his mouth-plate. "You know, for a guy whose initial plan failed, that idea doesn't sound half bad."

   "Well, what are we waiting for?" Ambulon asked. "Let's get the Pit out of here!"

   "Wait, hold it." Leadfoot eyed the Decepticon medic suspiciously. "We should we bring you along? You're a 'Con."

   Ambulon frowned. "After what got me in this fix in the first place, I hate the Decepticons as much as you do. Please, trust me."

   "We'll solve trust issues later," Prowl said. "Come on, let's get moving before the guard's friends notice his prolonged absence."

   In no more than a minute, four false Decepticon guards were leaving the cell, with three equally-as-false prisoners in tow. As they headed down the corridor for the exit however, another Decepticon called after them.

   "Hey! You guys are going the wrong way!"

   Prowl turned to face him. "Pardon?"

   "The prisoners are to be taken to Lord Straxus' throne room to be judged. Now come on! You know he hates to be kept waiting."

   As the Decepticon left, Tumbler let out a sigh. "Who else here thinks that Primus is mad at us for some reason?"

   "Wouldn't blame him," Getaway said. "We were at war for, like, two thousand years. He's bound to be ticked at us."

Star Wars: Legacy of the Knights title change and reboots

   Looking back at the series, I've decided that the name "Legacy of the Knights" doesn't really fit it, so I've decided to rename it Star Wars: Invasion, in referent to the Glorian invasion that is the main plot and to go along with the "one-word-title" of its predecessor Destiny. As such, I'll be editing previous post titles to reflect this change.

   In related news, I've also decided to reboot LOTK/Invasion's successor, Shadows of the Sith, because I wasn't pleased with how it was going. Some of the characters will still remain (Benor Sardan, Loth, etc.) and the setting will still be the same (20 years after the Glorian War). So expect a rewrite (and a possible rename) soon.

   EDIT (3/8/14): I'll also be ending Bionicle: Destiny because I've lost interest in it and have ideas for a story that doesn't continue where The Yesterday Quest/The Powers That Be left off. So be expecting that too.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

   Standing on the bridge of the Xantium, Impactor analyzed the holographic map of the Decepticons' territory... what little they had, anyway. In the days of the Great War, which he had fought in, the Decepticon Empire had numerous worlds under its tyrannical grasp. Now, only a handful remained under its loose controls, with those worlds being mainly desolate wastelands.

   To to the other nine Wreckers, as well as Optronix, Prowl, Tumbler, and Wheeljack, Impactor said, "So, which one of these should we go to first?"

   Whirl indicated one of the planets with a spindly claw. "That one."

   Topspin manipulated the controls of the holoprojector's computer, zooming in on the planet and providing its info. "Lucifer. Heavily fortified with an abundant amount of smelting pools. Ruled by the self-titled Lord High Governor Straxus."

   He turned to stare at Whirl. "And why, for the love of all that is great and holy, would you want to go there?"

   "It sounds cool."

   "Straxus is one of the top warlords, so he would be an ideal person to be behind this," Prowl mused aloud. "Of course, it would be too dangerous to go there."

   "Gee, you think?" Tumbler said testily. Turning to the projection, he indicated a planet near Lucifer. "How about that one?"

   Again, Topspin zoomed in on it and read its information. "Thrull. An irregularly-shaped planet. Its only use is a good source for plasma lava. Great if you want a quick plasma bath, but take note that it may fry your logic circuits."

   "Yeah, no thanks," Optronix muttered. "Let's face it; all of these planets come with a death notice, so we might as well pick the one with less risk."

   "Less risk means less fun," said the large Roadbuster. "I say we go with Lucifer. Best place to scratch our itchy trigger-fingers."

   "What, and start the war again in the process?" Prowl said. "Or are we all forgetting the plan?"

   "We know the plan," said Leadfoot, the Wreckers' defense and stealth specialist. "It's just the matter of it working."

   "Only one way to find out, right?" said Topspin's brother Twin Twist.

   Optronix sighed. "I suppose we could go to Lucifer. But remember-"

   "Yeah, yeah," Whirl said flippantly. "'Only shoot to kill if necessary.' It's not like you're our boss-bot or the Prime."

   Impactor could have sworn he heard Optronix mutter, "Some day I might be."

*  *  *

   Lucifer truly was the last planet in the galaxy that Crankcase wanted to be on. Of course, he would have still been miserable on any other world, perhaps even Cybertron, but they still would have been better than the dismal domain of the tyrant who called himself Straxus.

   "'Nother shipment of prisoners," said his on-duty partner Storm Cloud. "Gee, Trypticon must've been full of 'em."

   Crankcase sighed. "It's not just Trypticon, ya broken diode. It's from prisons across the galaxy: Garrus-9, Grindcore...."

   "Oh. Right," the black and purple mech said. "So, uh, how is Trannis stealin' all of these prisons?"

   "Pit if I know... or care," Crankcase snapped. "We're just here to do our blasted job and get paid ten Shanix, if we're lucky."

   The prison ship descended towards the awaiting landing pad. Once it had stopped, the boarding ramp lowered and a tall Decepticon in black and red armor appeared, flanked by five others, and with four Autobot prisoners chained to them.

   "Tell us where they need to go," the leader growled.

   Crankcase pointed back at the fortress which served as Straxus' seat of power. "Darkmount, level one-thirteen, in the dungeon."

   "Thanks," the leader said. Beckoning to his troops, he pushed past Crankcase and Storm Cloud, with the Autobots in tow. Crankcase watched them bemusedly as they went, unsure on how to feel about the expression of gratitude he had been given.

*  *  *

   "'Thanks?'" Impactor hissed. "'Thanks?' Since when do Decepticons ever say thanks?!"

   Optronix glared back at him as they approached the Decepticon fortress. "As if you could have done a better job."

   "Sure I could've!" the Wrecker leader snapped. "I've actually a fought a Decepticon- several, in fact! And not one of them ever said 'thanks!'"

   Optronix grunted. "Whatever. Just keep moving."

   They came to a stop before Darkmount's entrance, which was guarded by a hulking Decepticon brute. "Identify yourselves," it growled.

   Adopting the best Decepticon impression he could muster, Optronix said, "I am Commander Scourge of the Darksyde II. These are my men Mega-Octane, Armorhide, Movor, Rollbar, and, uh, Ro-Tor. We bring Autobot prisoners entrusted to us by Lord Trannis himself."

   The guard eyed them carefully as he viewed a datapad in his hand. "There's no ship called the Darksyde II on here."

   "We're freelance," Optronix said smoothly. "Lord Straxus isn't expecting us."

   The guard grunted. "Whatever. Darkwing, Dreadwind, take the prisoners to the dungeon."

   "Er, actually, we can take them ourselves," Optronix said, a bit too hastily for his liking. "I've always wanted to see Darkmount on the inside-"

   The guard cut him off with a glare. "You're freelance. You're not getting paid. You are not enlisted by Lord Straxus to transport prisoners. You are not permitted to enter Darkmount."

   With that, he took the four chained prisoners- Tumbler, Prowl, Wheeljack, and Leadfoot- and gave them to the awaiting Decepticons Darkwing and Dreadwind. Then, to Optronix and his party, the guard growled, "Leave."

   With little choice, especially since several dozen 'Cons were now watching them, the six disguised Autobots turned and headed back for the disguised Xantium. Glancing at Optronix, Impactor muttered, "So what now, 'Scourge?'"

   Optronix sighed. "I think it's time for a Plan B."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

   "So I said to him, 'If you want peace and quiet so much, why didn't you just ask?' So you know what I did?"

   "You flushed him out the airlock," Topspin said.

   Whirl's single optic blinked. "Yeah. How did ya know?"

   His fellow Wrecker sighed. "Because you've told that story four times now. This deca-cycle."

   "Yeah, because it's worth telling four times a week!" Whirl snapped. "It's so hilariously funny that even Ultra Magnus would laugh at it! Throwing people out the airlock is funny!"

   Behind his visor, Topspin rolled his eyes. Of all the people to be stuck with while guarding the Xantium when it was refueling, he had to be stuck with a faceless psychopath. Even Roadbuster would have been better company.

   "Right then. Where were we?"

   "In the middle of an incredibly boring game of Fullstasis," Whirl said. "Seriously, I can taste my victory without even having a mouth."

   Moving faster than a turbofox, Topspin moved his last remaining piece to Whirl's end of the board. Leaning back in his seat, satisfied with his move, he declared, "Fullstasis."

   Ire flared in Whirl's eye. "Not. Cool."

   "Looks like you've finally found something you don't like, Whirl."

   The two Wreckers turned to see four Autobots riding into the fuel station the Xantium was stationed at, converting to their robot modes as they came to a halt.

   "Oh, great," Whirl muttered. "It's the tag-alongs. I was hoping we'd be able to ditch them and do this mission thing ourselves."

   "Without my electronic paint jobs and jetpacks?" Wheeljack asked as he dismounted from his ride. "Yeah, good luck with that. Do all of you Wreckers have that reckless mindset?"

   "Pretty much," Topspin said. "Though Whirl's the most defiant."

   "Whatever," Optronix said. "Where's Impactor?"

   "Waiting for you on the bridge," Topspin replied, pointing a thumb at the Xantium. "We should be ready to take off in a few cycles."

   "Good," the Elite Guardsman said. "You guys all know of Prowl's plan?"

   Topspin nodded. "We disguise ourselves as Decepticons, sneak into whatever we're sneaking into, get our info or whatever, and then get the Pit out of there."

   "What about slaughtering Decepticons?" Whirl asked. "Or did I miss that part?"

   Prowl rolled his eyes. "There won't be any slaughtering unless the mission absolutely calls for it."

   Whirl crossed his spindly arms. "Then why do you need the Wreckers of all people?"

   "Just in case the mission does call for a slaughter," Optronix said emphatically as he moved to board the Xantium.

*  *  *

   Four Autobot corpses littered the Constructicons' working field, the Constructicons themselves strangely absent. There did not appear to be any sign of a struggle; in fact, the only things on the field besides the lifeless husks were a few pieces of construction equipment and the Decepticon insignia carved into the ground.

   Crouching down, Switch Blade idly traced the symbol with his finger. Then, turning to his new deputy Barricade, said, "Contact Red Alert. The situation has become more dire."

   "It certainly has," Barricade said in a strange tone.

   Switch Blade turned to give an odd look. "Yeah? So what are you waiting for? Contact him?"

   "I'm afraid I cannot, sir," Barricade said, bringing out his blaster. "It would be against my orders."

   The officer pulled the trigger and Switch Blade had seen his last.

*  *  *

   "The Xantium has taken off," Zeta said as he walked into Ultra Magnus' office, scowling. "I still don't know why you allowed them to go."

   "I have faith in Optronix, commander," Ultra Magnus replied, "as well as in the Wreckers. I'm sure they'll be able to get the job done."

   Zeta raised an eyebrow. "And if they don't? What if the war starts up again?"

   Ultra Magnus opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by the chime of his desk's intercom. Answering it, he said, "Ultra Magnus, here. What is it?"

   It was Checkpoint who responded. "We, ah, seem to have a situation, sir."

   "I'm pretty sure we all know-"

   "It's a different one, and way worse, too," Checkpoint said, the agitation in his voice obvious. "Switch Blade is dead, as well as most of his officers. And Trypticon Prison-"

   "Don't tell me," Ultra Magnus said, quickly rising from his seat. "There's been a mass breakout."

   "Er, no, sir. Trypticon Prison... has completely vanished."

*  *  *

   Nightshift awoke to the sound of voices. With a bit of effort, he sat up. From what he could tell, he was in Trypticon Prison's medbay. No doubt he had been found by his comrades after being knocked out by Flamewar.

   Climbing off of the repair berth, he walked out of the medbay and moved down the corridor to speak with the prison warden. However, he instantly stopped when he noticed something incredibly wrong.

   The prisoners- and their Autobot guards- were gone.

   And he could still hear voices coming down the corridor....

   Nightshift turned to run the way he had come but was instantly hit by a stun ray. He fell back to the floor, awake but immobile. A cackling laugh filled his audio-receptors as two large figures walked up to him.

   "Looks like you got him, Nightracer."

   "Like Pit I did, Skywarp."

   Nightshift's spark skipped a pulse. That voice...

   It skipped another when an all-too-familiar sleek figure, colored in black and blue, appeared over him.

   "Hey, brother," Nightracer said. "Welcome to Kaon- oh, but not the one you know."

   She lifted up his paralyzed body and tossed it out an opening in the wall- no doubt made by the escaped prisoners. As he fell to the ground outside, he could feel the heat of a nearby smelting pool.

   "This is New Kaon," he heard his sister say. "This is the new home of the Decepticon Empire."

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

   "Do you always visit this place?"

   Nightbeat looked up at Tumbler as he and Prowl walked into Maccadam's Old Oil House. As the two officers sat down, the detective said, "Drinking Visco helps me think."

   "Sure it does," Tumbler replied. "So, Prowl here tells me that you have a lead on the escaped Decepticons."

   Nightbeat nodded, bringing out a small microchip. "I've compiled all of the security cam footage of each escape and synchronized them."

   "And what did you find out?" Prowl asked.

   "That each escape happened at the same time with the same thing happening: the footage cutting out for a cycle."

   "So it's like something- or someone- is letting them escape simultaneously." Tumbler scratched the chin of his orange mouthplate. "But what or who?"

   "Well, I have noticed something else," Nightbeat said. "Each prisoner is a Decepticon who did not surrender at the end of the war. This leads me to believe that a Decepticon- perhaps one of the warlords- planned their escapes."

   "Yeah, but who? We can't just go strolling into Decepticon territory and go, 'Hey, Trannis! Care to explain these 'cons running around Cybertron?'"

   "Actually," Prowl murmured. "We can."

   Tumbler and Nightbeat stared at him in bewilderment. "What?"

   A sly smile crossed the officer's face. "I'm friends with an inventor named Wheeljack, of the Science Division. He's recently developed something that may be of use to us."

   "And what would that be?" Nightbeat asked, looking skeptical. "Camouflage?"

   "Close," Prowl replied. "It's actually a bit more convincing."

*  *  *

   "It's called electronic paint job," Wheeljack said as he rummaged through his untidy workshop. "It comes in the form of a chip which you install into your systems. You can then adopt any color scheme that fits your fancy."

   He then stopped as he brought out a jetpack. "Huh. I was wondering where I left this."

   "Mind if we borrow that?" Tumbler asked, regarding the device with intrigue. "You know, in case we need to make a hasty getaway."

   "Sure thing," Wheeljack said. "Three jetpacks, coming up."

   "Er, actually, only Tumbler and I are going," Prowl said. "Nightbeat isn't coming; says it's not in his line of work."

   The inventor gave him a stern look. "I know. I'm coming with you. Because do you really think I would trust you guys with these things?"

   "With what?" Tumbler asked. "Fancy camouflage and jetpacks? What could go wrong with those?" 

   "Anything!" Wheeljack snapped. "You're going into Decepticon territory here. And I want to make sure my stuff works before I ask for a patent."

   "He's got a point," Tumbler said. "I wouldn't be surprised if one of us didn't make it out alive. We're gonna need more help... and maybe a good plan."

   "Good thing I've had one in mind for the past five cycles," Prowl said.

   Wheeljack gave him an incredulous look before glancing at Tumbler, who merely shrugged, unfazed.

   "Don't ask me how he does it. He just does."

   "Right," Wheeljack muttered. "And what exactly will this plan entail?"

   Prowl smirked. "Well, we might need more than three jetpacks."

*  *  *

   "That has got to be the stupidest plan I have ever heard."

   Standing before Elite Guard commander Zeta inside his office, Tumbler nudged Prowl with his elbow. "I told this was a dumb idea," he muttered.

   "Quiet," Prowl hissed. To Zeta, he said, "With all due respect, sir, I doubt you can find a better strategy."

   "But the general idea of heading into Decepticon territory is insane in of itself!" Zeta snapped. "They're ruthless, paranoid, and merciless. You'd be spotted and killed in no time."

   "I am fully aware of that," Prowl said, his tone even. "I took all of that into account when formulating my strategy. Again, I doubt you can find a better one."

   "Might as well just give up, sir," Tumbler said to Zeta. "Once he starts an argument, he never leaves until he's won."

   Zeta sighed. "You two can go into Decepticon territory for all you want, if it means that much to you. But leave my men- and any other Autobot- out of it, unless they want to come along as well."

   For a moment, Prowl remained silent, locked in a staring contest with his superior officer. Finally, the former said, "What about the Wreckers?"

   Zeta blinked. "The Wreckers? No one really controls them, except maybe Ultra Magnus." He leaned back in his seat. "I suppose they might be willing to help, given their taste for danger. But don't expect any Elite Guardsman to go with you."

   "I will."

   Tumbler and Prowl turned to see a red and black Autobot standing in the doorway to Zeta's office.

   "I'll go with you," Optronix said. "If Ultra Magnus and the others would rather sit on their tailpipes and bide their time, then so be it. But I'll go with you."

   Zeta rolled his eyes. "Okay it's you three, plus how ever many Wreckers there are and how many other Autobots who wish to tag-along, against at least a thousand Decepticons. Have you calculated those odds, Prowl?"

   Prowl smiled. "As of half a minute ago, yes."

*  *  *

   "Any sign of her?" Nitrostreak called out to the members of his squad as they searched for the Decepticon Flamewar in Kaon's industrial region.

   "Negative, sir," replied High Beam, kicking an empty oil can. "Heck, I don't even see any Constructicons. Don't they have a night-shift?"

   "Er, sir?" Overshoot said. "I think you should come see this...."

   Nitrostreak and the other two officers rushed over to his side. Engraved in the ground before them was the unmistakable insignia of the Decepticons.

   "She can't be far, then," Getout said. "Maybe we should- gah!"

   The Autobot officer collapsed to the ground, a newly made hole seared into his forehead. The others turned to see their quarry standing behind them, a blaster rifle in hand. 

   A wicked grin crossed Flamewar's face. "Do you all make the same sound when you die? Let's find out."

   Some would be grateful that they were not around to hear or see the massacre that followed.

Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga II, Prologue and Chapter One

EDITED 7/21/2017 Changed Centurion to Zeta, mainly to avoid confusion with the IDW character (who I may or may not have appear in stories).

PROLOGUE

-Years Ago-

   "Who here as heard of the First Thirteen?"

   Several hands in the classroom shot up. Smiling, Alpha Trion then said, "Who here believes in the Thirteen?"

   This time, several became only a few.

   The ancient Autobot chuckled. "I am not surprised. Despite being nearly as old as the Guiding Hand legends, the Thirteen are a bit more... difficult to put one's faith in, considering that two of them were quite immoral."

   He beckoned to his students. "Who in this room would care to recount the legend of the Thirteen as they understand it?"

   Of the seventeen Cybertronian in the classroom, only one stood up: a young mech with red and black armor plating.

   Alpha Trion smiled. "Ah, Optronix. Please step in front of the whole class."

   Optronix did so. Turning to face his peers, he took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

   "Before the dawn of time, there was The One, an extra-dimensional entity that maintained bother Order and Chaos. When the universe expanded, The One created two beings to explore and maintain it: Primus, the Life-bringer, and his counterpart, the Great Devourer, Chaos-bringer.

   "Because of their clashing personalities, Primus and his brother waged a conflict that lasted eons. Knowing that there would no end to this war, Primus sacrificed a portion of his life to seal the Great Devourer within a metallic planetoid. He then used his remaining energy to bring life to a barren world- this one, Cybertron- and also to protect his still-pulsing spark.

   "The first to walk upon Cybertron's blessed ground were the original Thirteen Transformers. From them would descend the Dynasty of Primes and the population of Cybertron as it is to this day. The names and roles of the Thirteen are:

   "Prima, warrior of light; Vector, guardian of Time; Sigma, the recorder; Solus, the weaponsmith; Micronus, the conscience; Alchemist, the elemental; Nexus, the enigma; Onyx, the spiritual; Amalgamous, the trickster; Quintus, the scientist; the Liege Maximo, the manipulator; the Fallen, warrior of darkness; and finally, the Arisen, whose greeting hand united them as one."

   Upon finishing, Optronix's speech elicited an applause from not just his peers, but from Alpha Trion as well.

   "A marvelous presentation, Optronix," the old historian said. To the rest of the class, he said, "Whether you believe in them or not, there is something to be learned in the tales of the Thirteen... which we shall delve into tomorrow. Class dismissed."

   The students began to depart, with Optronix being the last. Before closing the door, he looked at Alpha Trion and said, "Sir, do you believe in the Thirteen?"

   The old Autobot glanced at him. "I prefer to keep my beliefs to myself until I trust someone enough so that I know they won't use them against me." He then smiled. "And I trust you, Optronix. And I will tell you that I believe in the Thirteen... though perhaps in different ways than you."

   Optronix returned the smile. "All right. Good day, sir."

   Once the door had closed, Alpha Trion walked up to his desk and brought out his datapad journal, typing in a single sentence at the very end of it.

   Until I am proven wrong, I do believe I have found the one who will bring Light to the Dark.

DAYS OF DECEPTION

Part 2: Decepticons Rising

CHAPTER ONE

-Present-

   Hands rattled bars. Fists banged on walls. Voices rung louder than the Sonic Canyons' machinery wells. 

   The Trypticon Prison was truly the last place Nightshift wanted to be, but work had to be done and someone had to do it. Leaning against the wall, the Autobot guard ignored the ramblings of the prisoner he was guarding, instead listening to music on his internal radio. He could still hear the loud screaming, but it had become a tolerable him thanks to the music.

   Thus, he only paid his prisoner any heed when the rambling suddenly stopped.

   Turning off the music, Nightshift waited a few minuted for it to start again. When it did not, he began to wonder if they were taking a stasis nap. Quietly and tentatively, he looked through the cell-door's small window.

   The cell was empty.

   Immediately switching on his comlink, Nightshift hastily cried, "Red alert! Prisoner 2-012 has escaped! Repeat: prisoner 2-012 has-"

   "I'm sure they can hear you loud and clear."

   Nightshift had mere seconds to look up before darkness consumed him.

*  *  *

   "Is he still alive?"

   "Just barely," First Aid replied. "I may be able to jump-start him with a compatible V-positive spark."

   "I'm V-positive," said security officer Stopgap. "I'll volunteer."

   "Thank you, Stopgap," said Chief Switch Blade of Kaon Security. Once First Aid and Stopgap had left with the unconscious Nightshift, he turned to his deputy, Nitrostreak. "Who was the escaped prisoner?"

   "Number 2-012, Decepticon Flamewar," Nitrostreak replied. "She was very loyal to the Decepticon cause, which is why she didn't throw down her arms at the end of the Great War."

   "A loyalist, huh?" Switch Blade scratched his chin. "Dispatch a squad to find her. Going by her name, we might be seeing a lot of fires."

   "And severed heads," Nitrostreak said. When Switch Blade gave him an odd look, he hastily added, "Er, I've heard... stories from the older bots."

   "Well," the chief murmured, "there just may be some truth to them."

*  *  *

   "Sir, prisoner 700-25 has escaped!"

   Chief Checkpoint of Iacon Security blinked. "How is that possible?" he demanded. "Iacon has the next best security after Trypticon Prison!"

   The young officer standing before him, a yellow-armored mech named Tigertrack, shrugged. "She just... isn't in here cell."

   Checkpoint sighed, rubbing his helmet's crest. "Dispatch a squad to find her. Iacon is an easy place to get lost in."

   Tigertrack shifted his feet. "Er, there's something else, sir. Apparently, the prisoner scribbled something on her wall."

   Checkpoint raised an eyebrow. "What does it say?"

*  *  *

   Decepticons forever.

   Depth Charge shook his head in incredulity at the writing on the wall of the empty cell he was standing in. It had belonged to a Seeker named Skywarp, who had been captured by Altihex Security five months ago, arrested for the assassination of High Councilor Decimus.

   To the officer standing beside him, Prowl, Depth Charge said, "Did the security camera catch any footage of his escape?"

   Prowl shook his head. "It cuts out for a cycle, during which he vanishes. He must have had something built in to him to temporarily disable it."

   "But surely the guards outside would have caught him," Depth Charge said. "And there doesn't seem to be any hidden escape routes. It's as if he teleported or something."

   "I'll ask Nightbeat to look into it," Prowl said. "He is an exceptionally good detective."

   "He won't be doing it alone," Depth Charge said. "You and Tumbler will be assisting him."

   Prowl nodded. "Understood." Glancing at the writing, he added, "It would appear that the assassinations were only the beginning."

   "Yeah," the Altihex Force chief muttered. "You could put it that way."

*  *  *

   Ultra Magnus skimmed through the reports he had received from all of the branches of the Security Force. Iacon, Kaon, Altihex, Kalis... the list was too long for him to keep track of. Setting down the datapad, he looked up at the two Autobots standing before him: Red Alert, director of the Security Force, and Zeta, Ultra Magnus' second-in-command.

   "This is bad," the Elite Guard commander said.

   "Glad you agree," Zeta said dryly. "What do you suppose we do?"

   Ultra Magnus leaned forward in his seat. "Well, five months ago, Optronix reported that he had a conversation with five Decepticon warlords. If we managed to find them, we should be able to quash the threat before it can escalate."

   "Does he know the names of these warlords?" Red Alert asked.

   "Only a few, but he provided detailed descriptions for the rest." Ultra Magnus brought another datapad and viewed its contents. "They seem to match those of warlords Trannis, Gigatron, Zardak, Deathsaurus, and Straxus."

   "Highbrow should have some data on them," Red Alert said. "I'll speak with him and report in a few mega-cycles."

   "And then what?" Zeta asked. "Do we scatter our forces across the galaxy? What if the data is false or outdated?"

   "We work with what we have, Zeta," Ultra Magnus said. "The Decepticons must not be allowed the chance to rebuild their empire."

   "Not unless we give it to them," Zeta muttered as he walked out of the office.